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Bulletin Reflection

Enough To Wake The Dead

Alice Camille

“O my people, I will open your graves and have you rise from them.” Are more wonderful words to be spoken in all the world? No loss is as great as what death takes from us. No sorrow is as deep as when our loved ones “go before us, marked with the sign of faith.” None of us remains untouched by death for long in this life, and all of us are delivered into its domain in the end. Like Mary falling down in the road before Jesus, we will weep for our losses. Like Martha voicing her indignation to Jesus with clenched fists, we will rage against the dying of the light. And like Lazarus himself we will find our bodily limitations eventually overwhelmed by accident or illness, age, time, and circumstance. We will close our eyes on this world once and for all.

Yet God has authority over the grave and can literally wake the dead. Even more: “I have promised, and I will do it, says the Lord.” The same God who rescues a people from slavery, exile, and the darkness of sin vows to remove the sting of death. We will not fail to die, but death won’t have the last word. The grave can’t hold us. We will see the glory of God when the voice of love cries out to us by name: “Come out!” And we’ll be unbound to enjoy the full freedom of the children of God at last—and forever.

Let’s be clear: The Lazarus experience is more than a finale at the edge of eternity. Just as Ezekiel foretold that the exiles of Babylon would be freed from the grave of captivity, we can be free of anything that impedes our liberty right now. Are we paralyzed with anxiety about the future; addicted to substances that call all the shots in our days; trapped in relationship dynamics that wound and don’t heal; wrapped in memories of the past that enshroud us in what was and make us unavailable for what could be? God pledges freedom from oppression if we would only “trust in the Lord,” as the psalmist says.

But perhaps it’s not weakness and circumstance that contain and constrict us. Maybe it’s the deliberate choices we make, the steps we take daily that encourage our progress on the road to ruin. Sin, too, is a prison from which we must escape, as Saint Paul understood. If Christ is in us, he declares, we are cheerfully dead to sin and can enjoy a vigorous new life in the Spirit. Freedom from fear, from sin, and ultimately, from death? No grave can bind us, no walls contain us, when God holds all the keys.

Announcements

The Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools Foundation Inc. is pleased to invite you to our 11th annual ‘Swing Into Spring’ Fashion Show & Dinner on Wednesday, May 11, 2011 at TCU Place. This enjoyable evening includes a buffet dinner, draws for door prizes including diamond jewellery, a VIP table, over 100 other draws and the latest in ladies’ and men’s fashions modelled by employees of Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools. Tickets are $70.00. Tickets are available from the Foundation office at 659-7003. Please see the poster in the Welcome Area for full details.

STATIONS OF THE CROSS: Are you looking for an opportunity to pray this during this Lenten Season? Join us each Friday evening as we pray together, meditating on the passion of our Lord in the Stations of the Cross. Fridays at 7:00pm in St. Mary’s Church.

DYG-“I kissed a squirrel and I liked it” Join the rest of the youth from the diocese to learn more about the Catholic belief system regarding same sex attraction. There will be a guest speaker from the group Courage who will share some interesting insights that easily relate to all high school students. Mark your calendars for April 15th from 7-11pm. We will have a huge Easter egg hunt with a variety of fun activities and puzzles to solve. Bring a new friend and get your name into a draw to win a really cool electronic device at our last DYG in June. Talk to Maria to confirm whether or not you are coming so that rides can be organized.

The Circulo Hispanico is hosting a STEAK NIGHT FUNDRAISER for Mary Starr who lost her husband, Kim. The event will be held at the Sutherland Bar & Gill on Saturday April 30 at 6:30pm. Tickets are $15.00 each. For tickets please call 978-0756.

SOLIDARITY SUNDAY Please note: This Sunday, April 10th is Share Lent Solidarity Sunday. Your generous donation to Development and Peace is greatly needed and appreciated. Envelopes were provided with last weekend’s bulletin.

RECONCILIATION SERVICE At St. Mary’s Wednesday, April 13 at 7pm. This service will replace the evening Perpetual Help Devotions and Mass. Come and prepare your heart for the great celebration of Easter.

Flowers donations for Easter With Easter quickly approaching, the Liturgy Committee is busy making plans to celebrate the Triduum and the great feast of Easter. To help decorate our church we are asking for monetary donations to help with the cost of flowers. If you would like to make a donation of money to be put towards the purchase of flowers, you can do this through the office during business hours or you can use the special envelopes available (see the inside doors as you enter the church or in the pews). This year, you can make your donation in memory of loved one who has died, and their name will be published in a special ‘Memorial Section’ of our Easter bulletin. Simply write the name of your loved one on the envelope and place the envelope with your donation in the collection basket or give it to one of the priests after mass. As always, we thank you for your generosity!

SOCIAL JUSTICE At the first Between the Masses presentation CHEP (Child Hunger Education Program) gave an excellent history and overview of the many ways this organization is bringing food to the people in the city and surrounding area. Information on how you can become involved is available in the Church vestibule or web site “www.chep.org”.

NAME CHANGE Effective immediately the collection for the poor on the first Sunday of the month is now St. Mary’s Charity. We can no longer use the name St. Vincent de Paul because it is a legitimate national charity . Please make your cheques payable to St. Mary’s Charity.

CHURCH CLEANING: We are planning a cleaning bee for the church on Monday April 11, 2011 following the morning Mass, about 9:45am. Mark your calendar so you don’t forget. We need both men and women to help with this project.

The Knights of Columbus In Support of Life committee is arranging a bus to go to the March for Life in Regina on Thursday, May 12. The bus will depart from the Lawson Heights Mall at 6:45 am and from the Circle Park Mall at 7:30 am, sharp. The bus will arrive in Regina at 10:00am for Mass at Christ the King Church. The cost is $25 per person. Call Louis Roth 249-2764 for more details or to reserve your seat on the bus.

THE NATIONAL CATHOLIC MISSION 2011, “The Heart of the Matter,” will be broadcast on VISIONTV on Monday April 18th (Pt. 1) and Tuesday, April 19th (Pt 2) at 5:00pm and repeated at 8:00pm. It will feature Fr. Jack Lynch, s.f.m., Father Donald Senior, C.P. and Sister Melannie Svoboda, SND. Sr. Svoboda will give some reflections on pain and the dawn of hope.

CWL NEWS – CWL Diocesan Convention is May 9, 2011 at Unity. Deadline for registration is April 21st ($30.00). There will be a bus going and the deadline is May 1st ($20.00). Any CWL member planning to go contact Jean (382-6100) prior to April 21st.

DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY On May 1, 2011 at 3:00pm, a service celebrating the Feast of Divine Mercy by Bishop Don Bolen at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, the corner of 12th Street and Wiggins Avenue. A love offering and refreshments will follow. Everyone welcome.

Police Checks This is just friendly reminder to our volunteers that do not have a police check that you must get one if you wish to continue as a volunteer with Home Ministry of Care. This is both a parish and diocesan policy, and it is being strictly enforced. If you volunteer elsewhere, you may have done this through another agency outside of St. Mary’s parish. Unfortunately, it does not cover you for our parish, and you must have this completed through St. Mary’s. Please remember that doing this is very easy: simply come to the parish office during working hours, bring two pieces of ID (one must be photo ID) and fill out the form; the office will do all the rest. If you are a volunteer there is no cost to you or the parish. By getting a police check you are helping ensure that our ministry to the vulnerable is accountable, transparent and in keeping with Christ’s care of the vulnerable in whose name we serve. Thank you for your generosity to this ministry and your attention to this very important manner!

HOLY WEEK AND EASTER SCHEDULE ST. MARY’S CHURCH 2011

Monday, April 18 Mass at 9:00am

Chrism Mass at St. Patrick’s Parish 7:00pm

(This is a celebration for the entire diocese)

Tuesday, April 19 Mass at 9:00am

Wednesday, April 20 Mass at 9:00am

Sacrament of Reconciliation from 6:00 to 7:15pm

Mass at 7:15pm

Holy Thursday, April 21 Morning Prayer at 9:00am

Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper at 7:30pm

Together with Guadalupe Parish (Bring non-perishable food for the poor)

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament following Mass until 11:00pm

Good Friday, April 22 Morning Prayer at 9:00am

Celebration of the Lord’s Passion at 3:00pm

Stations of the Cross at 7:00pm

Holy Saturday April 23 Blessing of Food at 12 noon

(No Morning Mass & No confessions on Holy Saturday)

Easter Vigil at 9:00pm

Easter Sunday, April 24

Mass at 9:00am

& Mass at 11:00am

Youth Ministry

Momentum: “Don’t Stop Believing!” is a Catholic youth rally for Grades 6 to 8 students, to be held Saturday, April 30 at Holy Spirit Parish. Cost is $40, including T-shirt! This day-long rally will feature inspirational talks and music by Michael Chiasson of Calgary, a chance to connect with Bishop Don Bolen, great food, friends and fun! To register a Grade 6 to 8 student for this rally, contact your parish youth leader or call diocesan Youth Ministry coordinator Colm Leyne at the Catholic Centre, 242-1500, Ext. 225, e-mail youthmin@saskatoonrcdiocese.com or for more information, or check out the website at: www.saskatoonrcdiocese.com/youthministry/index.cfm

YOUTH STATIONS OF THE CROSS-It is time to put the creative juices to work! The youth of St. Mary’s Parish are in charge of leading the rest of the parish in the Stations of the Cross for Good Friday (April 22nd) evening. Everyone is welcome to help out but commitment is necessary, as there will be a couple practices before the actual date. Please talk to Maria if you are interested in being involved with this evening of prayer.

Home Ministry of Care

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Suggestions on “How we can be more effective in journeying with those who are grieving.” continued

We all encounter a time when a friend, relative or neighbor dies. It’s important to help and support those who are grieving. Over the few weeks, we will offer suggestions which we hope will be helpful in making your visits at these difficult times effective and more comfortable.

Why?

The bereaved often ask “Why?” They are not looking for answers; their “why” is a cry of pain. We, the visitors, can’t try to find an answer, because there isn’t one that would be satisfactory. It’s more helpful to LISTEN. If we are asked specifically for an answer, a good response would simply be “I don’t know.”